How to Renew Worn Roof Shingles

If your home is in an area that is humid or damp, your roof shingles can get coated with algae, dirt, mold or mildew. To renew your roof shingles and keep your roof in good condition, you should remove this growth and consider coating your roof shingles with a sealer. This will give your roof a fresh look and inhibit the further growth of unsightly substances. An occasional cleaning probably won't harm your shingles, but the repeated use of harsh cleaning chemicals like bleach, along with pressure washing, may shorten the life of the shingles. By coating your roof shingles with a protective sealer, you shouldn't need to clean it as often.

Things You'll Need

• Safety goggles
• Rubber gloves
• 1 qt. bleach (6 percent sodium hypochlorite)
• ¼ cup TSP (trisodium phosphate)
• 1 gallon water
• Pump sprayer
• Garden hose with spray nozzle
• Safety glasses or goggles
• Safety rope
• Old clothes
• Slip resistant shoes
• Ladder
• Roof shingle sealer with mold and algae inhibitor

Instructions

1. Pour the cleaning ingredients (1 qt. bleach, ¼ cup TSP and 1 gallon of water) into a pump-type garden sprayer. Mix it well, carry the sprayer to the roof on a ladder, and spray the shingles down.

2. Wet the roof shingles with the solution, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse it off with water from a garden hose. Let the roof shingles dry completely.

3. Empty and clean out your pump sprayer with clean water. Fill it with the sealer containing a mold and algae inhibitor.

4. Spray the sealer on all the roof tiles. Once sealed the shingles should have a nice sheen and be protected from mold, mildew and algae.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear slip-resistant shoes when you're on a roof. It is best to tie yourself with a safety rope to a structure that can support you if you fall. Wear safety goggles and rubber gloves whenever spraying cleaner or sealer.

References

• Roof Tile Renovation: Clean, Repair and Seal
• Danny Lipford: How to Remove and Prevent Algae Stains on Asphalt Shingle Roofs